DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION OF SURGE PROTECTION DEVICES FOR RURAL DISTRIBUTION TRANSFORMERS BASED ON THE HYGROSCOPIC PROPERTIES OF SAND

Abstract – The rural distribution transformer failure ratio due to lightning activity is a critical matter in several regions of Colombia. Different research projects have been funded by Colombian electrical companies in order to solve this problem. In some colombian regions, such as Rionegro, Cundinamarca, the tramsformer failure ratio has been as high as 50%. In different places around the world with a lightning activity similar to our country, the failure ratio has been kept close to 1%. The problem could be solved by developing an integral solution that includes: reduction of grounding resistance and inductive loops, specific transformer design and extensive use of surge arresters on the low and medium voltage transformer windings. The hygroscopic properties of granular materials against lightning-like current and voltage impulses were used to develop an economic surge protection device based on sand. The transformers with the highest failure ratio were selected to install this new type of surge protection device. The design and implementation of the new device for the distribution transformer low-voltage side is described in this paper